Revelation 21:18Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The construction of the wall from jasper signifies, as has often been said, the ever-flourishing and unfading life of the saints. The city is pure gold because of the radiance and nobility of its inhabitants.

Jasper, dimly gleaming green, reveals the modest face of virginity, so that you may understand that our Lord Jesus Christ is united with the whole structure of the city. This body, derived from the flesh of the Virgin, rises for the strengthening of the whole wall. The city was pure gold, like clear glass. In the purest gold, which has been refined by the heat of fire and thereby brought to its proper assay, we recognize the face of the saints. They have been tested in the furnace of passions and by the heat of temptations, and thereby have become pure through the power of the Lord. They are compared to clear glass so that you may perceive in them the pure radiance of blessedness.

Who does not know that gold differs from glass in value and differs in color? There is nothing new in gold symbolizing the Church, which is often described as adorned with golden lampstands and cups because of her service to Wisdom.

Yet it is remarkable that pure gold is compared to clear glass. I think what is signified here is what the Apostle said: “Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the things hidden in darkness and reveal the intentions of the heart” (1 Cor 4:5).

For in glass there is nothing within that is not visible from without. Therefore the book, proclaiming that time when one another’s thoughts will become fully known to men, wished boldly to compare gold with glass.

The twelve precious stones adorning the foundations of the city, like the foundations themselves, signify the twelve apostles. At the same time, they indicate the distinctive property or dignity of each one.

By what features does the seer of mysteries depict the New Jerusalem, which came down before his eyes from heaven? Here are some of these remarkable features.

“The city has the glory of God, and its light is like a most precious stone” (Rev 21:11). This signifies a certain special nearness of the Lord God to it, so that the whole city is illumined with divine light.

A high wall surrounds the city as a sign that no unworthy person can enter there. The same thought is expressed by the fact that Angels of God keep watch at its twelve gates.

The gates bear the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. For as these tribes on earth formed the society of God’s chosen people, so their names are also assigned to the chosen ones of heaven.